Stand Up and Be Counted2010
Stand Up And Be Counted
Until I graduated from college...the second time, I had so many
different types of jobs while I was in school that it should be a
misdemeanor. I had a friend once tell me that she thought of me
whenever she saw a "help wanted" sign. I told her to think of me, and
pick up an application.
I never liked to waste energy on hard-core, long-term complaining. I
wanted to try a bunch of different types of jobs until I was happy, and
anything that offered short-term employment at a reasonable rate
sounded like the perfect next job to me. And so it went 10 years ago
while I was in my second year of college, and the US census was looking
for temporary workers.
Now know, that the census was one of those "good government jobs" I'd
heard adults rave about. My previous jobs had involved aprons, a lot of
driving, many changes of clothes (don't ask), and a hearty helping of
my own dignity. The Census, however, made it clear that this was a
grown-up job. We had to actually take a test, which at the time was a
typing analysis to demonstrate good data entry skills. We were
finger-printed, and we went through background checks. People with
shiny badges performed our new-hire classes. When I got this job, I was
dazzled by all the official paperwork, and by the complete lack of
greasy silverware to sort. I wondered if my working for the US
government in this way, with all these officials would lead to great
things in my future. I fantasized about the new addition to my resume
that wouldn't involve me getting dirty in some way. I should've waited
to actually start my employment for the Census before I let these
delusions of grandeur get the best of me.
I worked at the Census with a friend of mine, Kim, and we carpooled
together. Our first night there, we were divided up into teams, and
introduced to our team captain. I developed a spontaneous crush on my
team captain because he had the sweetest smile ever, and he smelled
like such a great time. Anyway, I couldn't help but notice, that though
we had been put through the ringer for this job, there were hundreds of
us hired and we were in, essentially, a warehouse. I was a college
student, and on my team there were professional people who'd heard
about the temporary job at a great pay rate and decided to moonlight as
a census worker for the few months that the job was supposed to last.
However, as I glanced around this little data entry sweat shop, I
noticed that there were also some new hires that were a little less
than professional. I saw a few new employees dressed in sweats and
do-rags. I swear that I saw someone with a baby in their lap in front
of a computer. I also recall a few "thug life" tatoos on some
gentlemen, who frankly, I couldn't see having the ability to type with
such thick, man-killing hands. Hmmm....
We were welcomed to the US Government 2000 census, and congratulated on
making it past the obviously thorough screening process to work for our
government. We were viewing handwritten Census forms that had been
scanned into the computer and we were supposed to type what we saw, no
matter what it said. If Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse were the two
residents living in that particular abode, than they should be counted
as such. Did we have any questions?
I did have questions, but none of them pertained to the official task
that we were supposed to perform, so I remained silent, and turned to
my computer. It read "no batches found." In fact, nearly everyone's
black-screened computer read simply, "no batches found." When we
brought this issue up to our well-trained team captains, we were told,
"yea...they said this might happen. Y'all better bring something to do
when you come to work in case there's down time."
And bring things we did. Personally, I had homework, and I wrote
poetry, but people brought jacks, hoola hoops, cards, and board games.
Working for the US government was where I learned to play poker...don't
test my skills. Night after night, next to computers that read "no
batches found," we played like children, while people in suits asked us
if we knew anyone looking for temporary employment as they were
DESPERATE for employees. I almost offered to let them bring a second
computer that said "no batches found" to me and I could sit next to
that one too to help them out, but I was starting to get into really
deep bible and book discussions, and I didn't want the second computer
in my way.
Towards the end of my time at the Census, the government sponsored a
giant indoor work picnic to thank us for all of our hard work. They
applauded our success, and hoped to see us back in 2010. The picnic was
to include an awards ceremony, and a cheerleading contest. I was on the
yellow team, and wrote my team's cheers. We came in second place. At
the time I was a kid in college, and didn't have an
appreciation for tax dollars, or the misuse of government funds.
Looking back now, with a better understanding of those types of issues,
it really makes me want to give America a round of applause. Don't forget to stand up
and be counted for the official US Government 2010 census!
--SJ
